Infectious Dynamics in Urban 3D-Environment: Challenges and Possibilities

The article is a brief overview of the results of the current stage of study of the dynamics of infectious processes in the modern urban environment in Protvino (Russia) with the help of 3D-model of the town, made in the paradigm of the Digital Earth. Data for the period 2011-2016 (38791 events) were used. Spatial and temporal resolution “building-day” was achieved. It is demonstrated that infectious diseases rates even in neighboring buildings can vary significantly from one to another. The presence of buildings with both significantly higher and significantly lower rates of infectious diseases is shown. Such significant discrepancies between rates are difficult to explain by local ecological factors like air and water pollutions because of the generalized nature of their impact on such a small area. The example of the global dynamics of COVID-19 demonstrates the need to study both specific and non-specific factors for the local epidemic process. Prospectives of the future researches are discussed briefly.